FRUSH, Henry - 1890 Bio (1802-1874)

FRUSH, SHEPHERD, RIPPETH, MOORE, QUILLEM, MCELDERRY, TANSEY, FREEMAN, SPENCER, HAMPSON, SMITH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/6/2007 at 20:34:53

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Page 175

Henry FRUSH, deceased, was born in Baltimore County, Md., October 15, 1802, and died at his home, in Jefferson County, on the 22d of August, 1874. He was a substantial farmer, and was respected by all who knew him. The family to which he belonged was of German origin. When about eight years of age, his parents removed to Belmont County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In Wheeling, Va., on the 6th of December, 1830, he wedded Miss Mary SHEPHERD, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born August 7, 1810, and a daughter of William and Catherine (RIPPETH) SHEPHERD. Her parents were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, and were married and lived for some time in Jefferson County, Ohio, after which they removed to Tuscarawas County. Mr. SHEPHERD laid out the town of Leesville, built the first house in it, and made other improvements. The dwelling which he erected is still standing. He engaged in merchandising for a livelihood. About 1840 he removed with his family to Van Buren County, Iowa, where his wife died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving eleven children. Afterward he was again married and removed to Appanoose County, Iowa, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-five years. By his last wife he had three children.

Mrs. FRUSH is the third in order of birth in the family of eleven children. Upon her marriage with our subject, they settled on a farm in Belmont County, Ohio, but later removed across the line into Monroe County, where the husband owned and improved a good farm. In 1850 they cast their lot with the early settlers of Jefferson County, Iowa, at the same time purchasing three hundred acres of land two miles north of Fairfield, of which Mrs. FRUSH still owns one hundred and sixty acres. They lived in the city until a house of pioneer style could be built on their land, and then removed to their new home. Mr. FRUSH was a stirring and successful farmer, who accomplished whatever he undertook. Politically, he was a Whig in early life, and later was a Republican, but took no prominent part in political affairs. The Methodist Church of the community had no more zealous member, and that organization also finds in his wife an earnest worker. The final summons came to Mr. FRUSH on the 22d of August, 1874, and amid the sorrows and regrets of many friends, he was laid to rest. Though quiet and unassuming in manner, he was an honor to his calling and a blessing to the community in which he lived.

Eleven children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. FRUSH, as follows: George W., who served three years in the Union army during the late war, and died about three years after his discharge by disease contracted while in the service; William A., a legal practitioner of Kansas; Amanda M., widow of Johnson MOORE; Sarah A., at home; Martha J., wife of John W. QUILLEM, a wool buyer of Fairfield; Isabel, wife of John R. McELDERRY, of Fairfield; Mary, widow of John TANSEY, who died some years after his return from the late war; James, who served nine months in putting down the Rebellion, and is now on a ranch in Montana; Louisa, wife of Eugene FREEMAN, a resident of Kansas; Caroline, wife of Burdett SPENCER, of Peoria; John H., a farmer in this county. In addition to her own family, Mrs. FRUSH has reared two children -- Angeline HAMPSON, wife of Asbury SHEPHERD, brother of Mrs. FRUSH; and Martha J. HAMPSON, wife of James C. SMITH.

Although she has attained the age of four-score years, Mrs. FRUSH is still vigorous and retains possession of her faculties to a remarkable degree. She has lived forty years in this county and is blessed with a good home, children and many friends.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.